Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

Chattahoochee Technical College is a drug-free campus. The staff at Chattahoochee Technical College is concerned about the growing pattern of drug and alcohol abuse in our society today. Chattahoochee Technical College is doing its part to curb this usage and to educate our staff and students about the associated dangers. Chattahoochee Technical College will comply with all pertinent local, state, and federal laws and regulations and is eager to join other educational facilities in this national effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse. National and state certifications of intent to comply with these laws in order to continue to receive funds for financial assistance have been submitted.

The Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1990 contains Section 20, Drug Free Schools and Campuses, which was enacted to ensure that any institution of higher education that received funds under any federal program has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students.

Under the terms of this act, colleges must annually distribute in writing to each student the following:

• Standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the school’s property or as part of any of the school’s activities
• Descriptions of applicable legal sanctions under state, local, and federal law
• Description of health risks
• Description of available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs
• Clear statement that the school will impose sanctions for violation of standards of conduct and a description of sanctions

No student may engage in the unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on the Technical College's property or as part of any of its sponsored activities.

Such unlawful activity may be considered sufficient grounds for serious punitive action, including expulsion. Disciplinary sanctions for students convicted of a felony offense involving alcohol or the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of marijuana, controlled substances or other illegal or dangerous drugs shall be immediate suspension and denial of further state and/or federal funds from the date of conviction. Specifically in the case of a drug related offense, the student shall minimally be suspended for the remainder of the semester and forfeit all academic credit for that period.

The Technical College shall notify the appropriate state/federal funding agency within 10 days after receiving notice of the conviction from the student or otherwise after receiving the actual notice of conviction.

Within 30 days of notification of conviction, the Technical College shall with respect to any student so convicted:

• Take additional appropriate action against such student up to and including expulsion as it deems necessary.
• Provide such student with a description of any drug or alcohol counseling treatment, or rehabilitation or re-entry programs that are available for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency.

The Technical College is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of a drug free awareness program to inform students of the following:

• The dangers of drug and alcohol abuse on the campus and elsewhere.
• Any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation and assistance programs.
• Any penalties to be imposed upon students for drug and alcohol abuse violations occurring on the campus.
• Students in a number of classes each term will be required to complete the learning platform, AlcoholEDU, to learn how to make good decisions regarding alcohol use. The learning objectives of AlcoholEDU include:
  • Abstainers will continue to choose not to drink
  • Drinkers will more often choose not to drink any alcohol or limit intake
  • When making the decision to consume alcohol, students will take steps to keep their blood alcohol levels in a safer range
  • Students will help protect another person who has had too much to drink
  • Students will try to help a friend who might have a problem with drugs and alcohol
  • Students will make informed decisions to avoid using marijuana and other drugs.

In regard to potential health risks, students should be aware that according to the National Institute of Drug (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and other sources, drug and alcohol use can have a wide range of short- and long-term, direct and indirect effects. Even after one use, short-term effects can cause alterations in appetite, the ability to sleep, slower or faster heart rate, changes in blood pressure, behavior and mood. Extended use over time or even an isolated incident of overindulgence can cause greater health risks to include heart attack, stroke, seizures, and short-term psychosis. In other cases, extreme use of drugs or alcohol can lead to overdose and possible death. Long-term use of alcohol and drugs may include heart and/or lung disease, certain cancers, mental illness or mental disorders, hepatitis and other health concerns to include an increased chance of dependency or addiction. In addition, use of drugs and alcohol can impair good decision-making skills, which could lead to the contraction of AIDS/HIV or sexually transmitted diseases due to risk-taking behaviors. The risk for impulsivity, trauma, violence, injury, may be enhanced due to impaired judgment. In addition, the use of drugs and alcohol may contribute to short- and long-term changes in brain activity, which affects mood, impulsivity, memory, stress, and the ability to learn new material. This may adversely impact a student’s educational success. Even when drug and alcohol use is eliminated, those changes may become permanent. Last, the use of drugs and alcohol may adversely affect babies born to women who use drugs and alcohol while pregnant. 

There are several options for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction or abuse to include assessment and evaluation services, intervention services, in-patient and outpatient treatment centers, 12-step recovery programs, partial hospitalization options, and community support groups. Free counseling and limited assessment services are offered at Chattahoochee Technical College as well as referrals to outside agencies. Students may call 770-975-4152 or email Counseling@ChattahoocheeTech.edu to make an appointment.